She blinks, not expecting my response. “You would enjoy being staked? Well, I suppose you do go out in the daylight.”
I was wondering when she would notice.
“Yes, I daywalk,” I say, with not a little modicum of pride.
“Is that what you call it?” Lucy’s voice contains a hint of mirth.
“What would you call it?”
“Walking.” She gazes at me with the eyes of a predator.
It’s not something I’m used to.
“Walking.” I put my head on one side and contemplate her response. “Novel, but I like it.”
She makes an odd noise under her breath which, even with my enhanced hearing, I can’t discern.
“Sir?” A thrall appears from the rear of the stairs.
Lucy moves instantly into a defensive pose, and I am quite impressed. The thrall ignores her.
“What is it?”
“You are required.” The thrall looks Lucy up and down.
“Then take my m—take Miss Cushing to my quarters. Provide her with…” I look over at Lucy, rather enjoying putting her off her fight mode, and then I check my watch. “Brunch. Coffee,” I query as her eyes flick from the thrall to me, “or tea?”
“Decaf tea,” she responds.
Which was not quite what I was expecting, but still, whatever she wants, she can have.
“And not any of that pathetic breakfast tea either. Make it something stronger,” she adds. “But decaf. I’m watching my caffeine intake.”
“I will return, my dear,” I tell her.
“I amnotyour dear,” Lucy retorts.
“We’ll see.”
“No, we won’t. Get this straight, Király. I will stake you the first opportunity I get, and I’ll burn this place to the ground. Don’t harbor any other thoughts in your pompous head. Keeping me here is a big, big mistake.” She growls the last sentence.
“We’ll see.”
I walk past the thrall and through to my office space. It’s quiet in the nest as it’s mid-morning. Most of the vampires are in their coffins, getting some rest and keeping away from any risk of seeing the sun. A couple of my elite guard are waiting and snap to attention when they see me.
“What is it?”
“It’s me.” The huge gargoyle steps out of the shadows.
“Sorry, boss. He insisted.” My second, Attila, a younger vampire of only a century, who has already impressed me with his stamina and ability to resist sunlight, exposes his neck to me in the usual indication of his loyalty.
“Viktor.” I nod at the ancient statue. “To what do we owe this visit?”
The gargoyle looks around at my guards.
“Leave.” I say to them.
Attila holds my gaze for a brief moment, then dips his head, indicating the other three as I gesture to my inner sanctum.
